by Lauren R. Tharp Opinions of Rottweilers vary wildly. While many remember Alexandra Day’s Good Dog, Carl children’s book series, still more remember the breed as the “evil” dogs from The Omen. The one thing everyone seems to agree on? Rottweilers make excellent guard dogs! Most commonly used as guard dogs, this breed is also commonly used for Police work,…

by Lauren R. Tharp There are several varieties of bulldog: The American Bulldog, the French Bulldog, and the English Bulldog. The latter could be considered the “winner” of the bunch as it is the most famous and has earned the right to be referred to simply as “Bulldog.” The Bulldog is the mascot to 39 American universities, the official mascot…

by Lauren R. Tharp The name “Basset Hound” roughly translates to “rather low hound.” Whether this is referring to their height (they certainly are “rather low” to the ground!) or their facial expression (Droopy Dog was a Basset Hound!) has yet to be determined. Other famous Basset Hounds besides Droopy include Columbo’s dog, Dog; Lassie’s best friend, Porky; and Sherlock,…

by Lauren R. Tharp The fourth most popular breed in the United States, the German Shepherd has long been known for its heroic exploits and loyalty as a family pet. First recognized by the AKC in 1908, the German Shepherd is the leading police, military, and guard dog breed in the world…and is also known for being a wonderful pet!…

by Lauren R. Tharp There have been plenty of famous Saint Bernards over the years! Fortunately for dog lovers everywhere, these pooches are more like Beethoven than Cujo. Part of the Working group, the St. Bernard was first recognized by the AKC in 1885 and currently reigns as the 37th most popular breed of dog in the United States. …

By Lauren R. Tharp The Shih Tzu or “Shitzu” (pronounced as Sheet-zoo)was originally the dog of choice for the royals in the Ming Dynasty. During World War II the dog was discovered by soldiers in England and has quickly became a favorite house pet here in the US. More than 20 years later, the AKC officially registered the breed. Now…

By Lauren R. Tharp The second most popular dog in the United States (according to AKC registration records), the Golden Retriever originated as a hunting dog, roaming the Scottish Highlands, in the late 1800s. Now known for being excellent guide dogs and search and rescue dogs, the Golden Retriever was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1925…

By Lauren R. Tharpe The Shepherd Husky is a mix of two breeds: The German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. Most Shepherd Husky owners consider this breed to be the best of both worlds. Physical Traits Size & Weight: Large. Shepherd Huskies range from 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight also varies, but usually falls within…

By Lauren R. Tharp The original “purse dog!” Long before Paris Hilton was stuffing Chihuahuas into her handbag, Jack Russell Terriers were being toted around in “terrier bags” while their owners traveled around on horseback. Originally bred in England, the Jack Russell evolved to its current form in Australia. This faithful outdoorsy breed was first recognized by the AKC in…

by Lauren R. Tharp Rumored to have first appeared before 400 B.C., the Pug is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds. Originating in Asia, the Pug shares a similar bloodline to that of the Pekingese. People pleasers by nature, the Pug reigns as the 12th most popular dog breed in the United States (according to AKC registration records) and…